Rap-Up TV caught up with John Legend before his performance at the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) and City Year Celebration of Hope & Achievement at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. The soul man spoke about his upcoming covers album Wake Up, a collaboration with The Roots.
“It’s an album of songs from the ’60s and ’70s, songs [with] political, social, and anti-war [themes]. Songs from that era that were inspiring back then and are inspiring now. It’s a really funky, soulful album,” he revealed.
The first single, a cover of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes’ “Wake Up Everybody” features Common and Melanie Fiona. Other tracks include his take on Baby Huey’s “Hard Times” and the original composition “Shine,” written for the documentary Waiting for Superman.
While Mr. Legend remained “hush hush” on his homie Kanye West’s highly-anticipated project, he did admit to visiting him and hearing some material. “It will be good though, you know that,” he divulged.